Greetings family and friends.
Well, finally, it is official.!!!!!  We have a work permit to return to Zimbabwe for the next year.  Some of you are already aware of that, but not everyone.  Our intention at this point, is to be in Zimbabwe until December, 2017.  So, that means we will have to apply for an extension while we are there as our work permit has been granted for a one year period. But, we will take it one step at a time, trusting that God is in control.

We have just had some fabulous family time.  We went to Alberta for our great-granddaughter's (Yes, you read that right, our Great Granddaughter's) grade twelve graduation.  Destiney is 17 and not sure at this point exactly what she wants to do so is currently working as she decides. It was good to celebrate with her.

The trip was short and yet we managed to cram some visiting with friends in as well.  I even made a trip to Cold Lake.  Managed to spend a delightful evening with my friend AnnE, taking in an art class.  Such fun!!!!  AnnE, it was so good to spend some time with you and Joel. Likewise to all of those whom we were privileged to spend time with...it was indeed precious time and we have been blessed.

Following the graduation we rushed home for Christmas in July.  Glen's sister and her husband have hosted a Christmas in July celebration a number of times and they do it up great, complete with a visit from Santa.  Approximately 50 members of both Bette and Brian's family (and that includes us and our kids, grandkids, and greats) gathered for the weekend.  We had about a dozen at our house. such fun.  Most left this morning, except for our grandson, Joshua and his partner Chrystal who will spend another evening with us and leave tomorrow.

Next week we are expecting our nephew, Cody, to spend a bit of time with us and then the following week our missionary friends arrive for our reunion.

In between times I will be trying to decide what I can take with me to Zimbabwe.  I have two suitcases with their mouths wide open just waiting for me to feed them with all the things I will take back to Zimbabwe with me.  Decisions, decisions.  What to pack?

I will be leaving Canada heading to Zimbabwe on August 3rd.  Glen will be joining me later.
Please continue to pray for us and for the people of Zimbabwe.  Conditions continue to worsen and be very challenging for all the people in that country as well as many other African countries.

Again, we continue to trust God to direct our paths as we move forward.

Including just a few random pictures of what we are leaving and what we are going to.  Oh yes, I realize it is no longer winter in Canada...but one thing we don't have in Zimbabwe is  snow.  Amazing the similarities and how much, to me, our Canadian mule deer and the Zimbabwain Impala are alike.

My next blog should come from Zimbabwe.
Love and blessings to all.
Marj